Police: Coos County man arrested, tells 911 he was being followed by 'cops or ghosts'

by News Staff

Tuesday, December 26th 2017

(MGN Online image)

COOS BAY, Ore. -- A Coos County man was arrested on an outstanding warrant after he called law enforcement while under the influence of methamphetamine.

Just after 9 a.m. Sunday, Coos County 911 Dispatch Center received a report from 38-year-old Ryland Sweet of Remote, who said he was being followed by either “cops or ghosts,” according to police.

The man reported they had been following him for several miles, police said.

Responding deputies located Sweet, who was alone with his dog along the bank of Coal Bank Slough.

Deputies made verbal contact with Sweet, who was heavily under the influence of methamphetamine, the report said.

At one point during the contact, Sweet fell into the Coal Bank Slough, but was able to get out on his own.

After running a records check, deputies learned he had an active warrant out for his arrest for probation violation out of the Florence Police Department.

Police determined that Sweet "was not being chased by 'cops or ghosts;' he was feeling rather paranoid due to the methamphetamine he had consumed," the report said.

"There is a possibility that Ryland would not have been contacted had he not called the police on himself," the sheriff's office said. "Due to the 911 call, Ryland was arrested and transported to the Coos County Jail where he was booked on the outstanding arrest warrant."

Deputies transported his dog to the Coos County Animal Shelter where he was given a warm blanket and food.